Reel life in the OR

>> Hospital A/V tech gets into the cutting-edge world of surgery on camera

by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Laurent Soussama

Age: 33

Occupation: Hospital audiovisual technician

Salary: Approximately $18 an hour.

Bio: This cuddly hunk and NDG resident was a staple on the local film and television production scene before giving it all up seven years ago to document the goings-on at several area hospitals--most consistently the Montreal Children's. "I got sick of all the ass-kissing that goes on in the film business." Recording surgical procedures, photographing the wounds inflicted upon abused children, Laurent never fails to get right in there and capture the action in all of its hideous detail. He also drives a 1994 Ford Escort hatchback.

Does he ever get grossed out filming medical operations? Not really. "The first operation I ever filmed was a plastic surgeon doing a tummy tuck and they had to sew a new bellybutton into the patient. I didn't know how I was going to react but ever since then I've been absolutely fascinated with the operating room. I love the aura in there."

Does he ever get sexually aroused when he goes into the operating room and sees a sultry 16 year old lying buck naked on the table? No. "Besides, everything is covered up other than the specific area the surgical team is working on."

Has any surgeon ever told him to get his fucking camera out of the way while he is trying to operate? No. "Usually they have requested that I film the procedure in the first place and I always make a point to be respectful and not get in their way. But I do tend to get right in there and shoot directly over their shoulders."

Do people ever request personal VHS copies of their children's hernia operations? No. "I don't think most parents really want to see videotapes of their children being operated on."

Does he dig taking pictures of the wounds inflicted upon abused children? "No, it is very difficult emotionally. Look, when you see a five-year-old boy all covered in bruises and with cigarette burns on his body it can really bum you out. It usually only really hits me afterwards when I am reviewing my slides but then I have to take a break and go out for a cigarette or coffee or something."

The amount of hospital film work he has on his director's reel: Zero.

A project he has been working on recently: Filming local spoken word artiste Victoria Stanton in action.

Childhood ambition: To become a gardener.

Hobbies: Cooking. Laurent is rumoured to make a mean vegetable lasagna.

Last book read: The Mark of an Angel, by Nancy Huston

Musical preferences: Stuff he grew up with like the Smiths and the Cure. "I'm not a big rap fan."

A recent film he enjoyed: Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulin

Favourite TV shows: Space Channel, Sex and the City, The Sopranos.

Words of wisdom: "Live life and love it to the maximum. You've got to believe in love." :

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca